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Win
Joe MazzullaJoe Mazzulla

The more successful you are, the closer you are to losing

The closer you are to winning, the closer you are to losing. Right? So like, you saw it at UFC 300... most people can't handle the fact that you think you beat your opponent, but now you still have to fight them.

This is a philosophical principle that Mazzulla successfully applied to lead the Celtics to a championship shortly after this interview.

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Push
Apr 19, 2024
#2048
HankHank

I'd much rather the Celtics play the Bulls in the first round because it's a free win

I mean the Heat obviously have had success against us. No Jimmy Butler... but still it's like, you just don't mess with [the Heat]. Forget about the Heat. Don't mess with it. If you play the Bulls, it's much better... I just want the free win.

The Heat beat the Bulls in the play-in for the 8-seed, so the Celtics played the Heat. The Celtics won the series 4-1, proving that even the Heat weren't a major threat.
Loss
Apr 19, 2024
#2051
Big CatBig Cat

The Bulls-Heat game will be a one-possession game with three minutes left

I honestly just, if my, if I had to give you my take on the game, it's gonna be a one possession game with three minutes left and then who the fuck knows?

The Heat blew out the Bulls 112-91. It was not a one-possession game late.
Win
Apr 19, 2024
#2055
HankHank

Robert Kraft is going to start getting booed at Patriots events

He is entering territory where it's like he's gonna start getting like boos, which is insane. But like he is, he has set himself up for that... and I could see there being like boos or, or something where like that's gonna, that's gonna rattle him.

Kraft was notably booed during the Tom Brady Roast on Netflix shortly after this and has faced increased scrutiny during the 2024 season.

More from Joe Mazzulla

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Win
Joe MazzullaJoe Mazzulla

He woke up every day in January convinced he was going to be fired

When we were that, that stretch in January where we weren't playing well, I was woke up every day and told myself I'm getting fired if we don't turn. I'm, I'm, I'm done... and I would tell the staff too, I'm like, guys, we're done. Like, you know, we don't figure this thing out, you know, like we, we just, we don't deserve to coach here.

Self-reported psychological state.
Win
Joe MazzullaJoe Mazzulla

Soccer cutting and spacing tactics translate directly to basketball

Cutting a place. You know, the way you cut can open up a two on one, you know, for the guy next to you... to move the defense. That stuff comes from soccer. That's my favorite sport to watch.

Mazzulla successfully implemented these tactics to win the 2024 NBA Finals.
Void
Joe MazzullaJoe Mazzulla

Tearing my meniscus was one of the best things that happened to me this season

I'll tell you what, it almost, it was one of the best things that happened to me for the rest of the season. 'Cause it put me in like this fight or flight mentality to where like I could just not relax... I've been thinking about maybe getting hurt every All-Star break.

This is a personal reflection on his coaching experience.